Another Pioneer Passes Away.
Last Friday morning at 5 o'clock Mr. J. C. Earle died in this city, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. T. C. Gray. Pneumonia, coupled with the natural infirmities of age, was the cause of death. Funeral services were conducted at Earle's Chapel cemetery, several miles west of town, Friday afternoon, being attended by a large gathering of neighbors and friends of the deceased.
Mr. Earle was born in Jackson County, Alabama, April 8, 1829, and was therefore nearly 79 years of age. He was the son of Elijah Earle, and came with his father's family to Texas in 1846, settling a few miles west of what is now the town of Jacksonville. At that time, Larissa was the only town in Cherokee County, and Mr. Earle's nearest neighbor lived several miles away, the county being in a wild and unsettled condition. Elijah Earle lived until December 30, 1880, and was buried January 1, 1881 at what is now Earle's Chapel. He previously donated a tract of land for a church and cemetery, and had carved his name on a tree where he wished to be buried.
J. C. Earle was married in April 1851 to Miss Matilda Benge, and 9 children were born to the union, 7 of whom are still living. They are as follows: Mrs. Margaret Gover, of Jacksonville, Mrs. Mary Elliot of California, M. L. Earle, Mrs. Susan Trantham, J. N. Earle, Mrs. Amanda Gray and W. B. Earle of Jacksonville. Two of the children are dead - Mrs. Nanie Hensley and William Earle. Mrs. Earle died December 14, 1905, being at the time of her death a little over 79 years of age. The married life of this aged couple covered a period of more than 54 years. No doubt many hardships were experienced by the Earle family when they first settled in Cherokee County, but they also enjoyed rare opportunities and were not slow to take advantage of them. As a result of keen foresight and economic habits formed during his early life, Mr. Earle accumulated quite a bit of property. He was always considered one of the leading citizens of his community, and was highly respected by all who knew him.